The International Criminal Court has convicted former Central African Republic rebel commander Mahamat Said Abdel Kani on four counts of crimes against humanity, including torture and unlawful imprisonment.
Presiding Judge Miatta Maria Samba delivered the verdict, finding the 56-year-old guilty of overseeing beatings and maltreatment as the head of a detention unit during the country’s descent into civil war in 2013. Dressed in a blue sweatshirt and jeans, Said shook his head multiple times as the ruling was read.
The court acquitted Said of three separate counts of war crimes. A date for his sentencing will be announced by the ICC at a later stage.
During the trial, prosecutors established that Said managed the Central Office for the Repression of Banditry detention facility in the capital, Bangui, where detainees were subjected to severe torture and systematic deprivation.
